ScreenSkills hosted a discussion at this year’s British Animation Awards centred on deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent working in the in industry. A recording of the discussion is now available to watch below.
Out of the disability closet: celebrating talent in British animation brought together speakers across UK animation to speak about their experiences of the sector and what steps can be taken to ensure a more progressive and inclusive workforce in the future.
The panel coincides with the launch of a new report on accessibility in animation that presents the findings of research conducted by ScreenSkills in partnership with Manchester Animation Festival and the Visible in Visuals (ViV) network.
Five speakers were invited to present an excerpt of their work before discussing what the animation industry can do to better support deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent. Included in the panel were:
- Grainne McGuinness (Creative Director, Paper Owl Films)
- Paula Newport (Director of People and Culture, Aardman Animations)
Holly Summerson (animator, Glasgow Film Talent mentee) - Jemima Hughes (animator, BBC’S New Creatives)
- Joe Blandemer (animator, Into Film award winner 2020)